domestic battery

What happens on a second offense of domestic battery in Illinois?

August 18, 2022
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NOTE: The article below contains additional information to clarify the importance of Public Act 101-651. This Act took effect on August 7, 2020 and expanded the circumstances under which an offender may face charges for aggravated battery, which can serve as a prior conviction for the purposes of domestic battery charges. A second offense for […]

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How do I get an order of protection against someone in Illinois?

June 14, 2022
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This article explains the process in Illinois of applying for a plenary order of protection, which is a two-year order prohibiting contact between family or household members.

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Misdemeanor convictions that cannot be sealed: crimes of violence

April 14, 2022
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NOTE: This page has new content to clarify the recent impact of Public Act 101-223 (effective January 1, 2020) and Public Act 101-651 (effective August 7, 2020). These Acts adjusted the Illinois approach to standard and aggravated domestic battery offenses, including the possibility of a felony charge. A person convicted of a misdemeanor can have […]

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Stalking No Contact Order Illinois

December 13, 2021
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NOTE: The article below was refreshed to underline several important changes to stalking no contact orders in Illinois that occurred on January 1, 2019. That is when Public Act 100-1000 took effect and modified the definition of contact with a victim to specifically provide for workplaces, schools, and places of worship. Illinois Law Illinois law […]

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Contempt of court: summary of Illinois law

September 17, 2021
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NOTE: The article below has new content to explain how Public Act 101-440 changed Illinois law after January 1, 2020. At that time, a new route to good behavior credits opened to inmates with certain sentences. If these inmates participate in qualifying programs, they can earn additional time off their sentence and secure early release. […]

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Can the victim make the State drop charges in a domestic battery case?

August 20, 2021
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NOTE: This article has updated material to explain the impact of Public Act 101-223 (effective January 1, 2020) and Public Act 101-651 (effective August 7, 2020). Once these acts became law in Illinois, certain rules changed concerning aggravated battery offenses. Many people believe that if they are the victim of a domestic violence incident, they […]

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Having contact with victim in domestic battery is a crime

July 15, 2021
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NOTE: This page includes new information to account for the passage of Public Act 101-223 (effective January 1, 2020) and Public Act 101-651 (effective August 7, 2020). Since the aforementioned effective dates, Illinois law features new conditions for aggravated battery, which can be considered a previous conviction in domestic battery cases. Domestic battery arrest After […]

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Choking or strangling a person during domestic battery is now a felony in Illinois

July 8, 2021
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NOTE: This article reflects additional content to clarify the significance of Public Act 101-0130, which became Illinois law on January 1, 2020. After its effective date, this Act eliminated the statute of limitations for prosecuting various sex crimes that can impact the sentencing for domestic battery, including criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, and […]

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Two types of domestic battery and penalties

June 25, 2021
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NOTE: This article features additional content to account for changes to Illinois law after passage of Public Act 101-0130. Since this Act became effective in 2019, there is no longer a statute of limitations for criminal sexual abuse or criminal sexual abuse, which has potentially serious implications in the context of domestic battery cases. Illinois […]

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Can parents in Illinois get charged with domestic battery for striking their children?

April 22, 2020
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NOTE: This page features updated content demonstrating 2020 changes in Illinois law with passage of Public Act 101-0130. Since its effective date of January 1, this Act removed the statute of limitations for the regular and aggravated versions of criminal sexual assault. Domestic battery is a serious criminal offense in Illinois. The first offense is […]

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